A couple questions from a rookie!

[joeladamkrueger]

You guys that have been around for a long time must be tired of all the rookies asking the same questions! Hopefully someday I'll be able to answer as many stupid questions as I ask... Well well I made a donation anyway since I don't have tons of knowledge I can at least contribute in that way!

Well anyway to the "noob question to the experienced of the day": I break (breakdance) and we quite often want to practice outside or at subway stations with good floors and few people. I've been looking for a while for a box that will BLAST at practice, my first choice was the m70 but at the moment it goes for prices that I can't afford What box would you guys recommend? It should be able to handle a fair amount of bass, play LOUD and look MEAN! I've been considering the Studio 1 or the JVC 838 or one of it's AKAs. Heavy is not an issue, if I'm hyped to practice to the sound of a sweet box I could carry it to hell and back no problem

Hit me with the model you would choose! My budget could probably stretch to around €200 (about $275).

 

[baddboybill]

At that price you may have better luck at M70... But I would have to say a Lasonic TRC931 is a good choice for the price. A super clean 100% working one just sold on eBay less than $300 good luck

 

[blu_fuz]

A boomer that is LOUD, flashy, and doesn't weigh a ton.....


Lasonic TRC-975

Two middle boxes in this pic (above it is the 951 and below is the 935):

 

[Reli]

Forget about the Studio 1.......it's 30 lbs, eats batteries really fast, and doesn't go as loud as some of the better 1-piece boxes. Plus it's more of a hi-fi unit than a rap unit.....So its woofers are great with ambient room-filling bass, but not with tight rap bass.

Forget about the 838 too.........It is quite weak in the bass department

An M70 goes loud, but forget about it if you want something that looks mean, but that's just my opinion. Plus, if you're using Ebay, a fully-working one in good shape would be over your budget.

I would go for a Lasonic

 

[joeladamkrueger]

I don't know I don't think that 975 looks so mean the "jumbo" is kind of corny to me... I've heard the build quality is not so fantastic on the Lasonics either? Heavy is not an issue I don't mind carrying heavy boomers! It's european epay or members in Europe (I live in Norway so shipping from american ebay is to pricey and risky!) I think the prices seem a little higher here in Europe? Don't think I can cop I nice M70 for €200?

 

[blu_fuz]

Sounds like you already made up your mind on what you want. Get the M70. If you don't like the 975 go with the 931

 

[MasterBlaster84]

Boom for the buck can be high with the Lasonics if you can get a good one for under $300 but the M70 is a great all around classic box.

 

[THAFUZZ]

It should be able to handle a fair amount of bass, play LOUD and look MEAN! Hit me with the model you would choose! My budget could probably stretch to around €200 (about $275).

2 out of your 3 requirements-within that price range would lead you toward a nice Lasonic. They are real thumpers. Many others (in my opinion) fall short in the bass dept. or run higher in price. You also might not to carry around a minty grail to many public places where you'll likey dirty or damage it and regret it. You want a soldier that's good to get dirty. Just my 2 cents.

 

[blu_fuz]

Are you looking for something with working cassette decks or no? Only requirement to have line-in and working radio? Let me know.


You are in Norway, huh? I wonder what shipping from USA is

 

[MasterBlaster84]

You are in Norway, huh? I wonder what shipping from USA is

Shipping a boomer across town has become overpriced so I can only imagine what's happened to international shipping.

I just spent $26 shipping a 14 pound box with a small Adcom preamp from Cali to NY, a few years ago I shipped basically the same box the same distance for about $16-$17. These prices are FedEX ground and I have an account with them so the prices are several dollars less than someone without an account would pay.

 

[joeladamkrueger]

Are you looking for something with working cassette decks or no? Only requirement to have line-in and working radio? Let me know.


You are in Norway, huh? I wonder what shipping from USA is

I do like the 931! Never seen them in real life but it looks way cooler than the 975 in pictures...
What about the Sudio 1 though? Besides the fact that it will eat batteries, it can pump plenty good can't it?

Well I do like a working cassette, I like making mixtapes but of course the main thing is that the speakers play evenly and awesomely! I have a FM transmitter but line-in is of course better...

 

[Reli]

The Studio 1 doesn't sound as good on batteries as it does when plugged into a wall.

 

[joeladamkrueger]

You are in Norway, huh? I wonder what shipping from USA is

From what I've seen I think shipping to Europe, for a pretty decent size box, normally ranges between $50-100...

 

[joeladamkrueger]

The Studio 1 doesn't sound as good on batteries as it does when plugged into a wall.

Not AS good, or not good?

 

[Reli]

The Studio 1 doesn't sound as good on batteries as it does when plugged into a wall.

Not AS good, or not good?

Still good, but not AS good.

And it's going to weigh 15 or 16 kg with batteries. Not something I'd enjoy carrying very long.

It isn't power-efficient as most boxes --- Batteries just don't last very long in it.

 

[MasterBlaster84]

If you can find a decent Sharp GF-777 they look like they mean business, put out good bass ,and they are supposedly easy on batteries. The problem with these boxes is they can range from roughly $200 to $1000, that being the case you can sometimes find a working one in fair cosmetic condition in the lower part of the price range.
Here's some info: http://www.stereo80s.com/bbx.cfm?id=663

 

[joeladamkrueger]

Yeah a gf777 would be awesome! Figured it was out of my price range but I guess you never know... are there any under the radar boxes that you guys would recommend? A brand or a box that isn't talked about too much but performs close to the big leaguers? Universum or something? The Aiwas are light on bass?

 

[THAFUZZ]

... are there any under the radar boxes that you guys would recommend? A brand or a box that isn't talked about too much but performs close to the big leaguers? Universum or something? The Akais are light on bass?

Rising 20/20 aka Clairtone? The Rising I had had very good woofer similar to the 931 I one owned. Those come to mind. Again, this based of your price range.

 

[THAFUZZ]

... are there any under the radar boxes that you guys would recommend? A brand or a box that isn't talked about too much but performs close to the big leaguers? Universum or something? The Akais are light on bass?

Rising 20/20 aka Clairtone? The Rising I had had very good woofers, similar to the 931 I one owned. Those come to mind. Again, this based of your price range.

Or maybe even the Helix 4636 that looks like the 931? (no line in/out)

 

[MasterBlaster84]

You can find some good boxes that are sort of under the radar, they typically are medium size boxes and not large boxes. Good large boxes don't often fly under the radar, in the boombox world size sells. There's a fair amount of the lower quality big empty boxes that were rebadged with lots of names floating around and they usually don't sell for to much. Or for an example of a good mid size box that somewhat flies under the radar how about a Universum Super Sound 16000?